Neurology is a medical specialty that looks after problems with the brain, spine, nerves, and muscles. The Neurology Department at University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust (UHB) is based at Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham (QEHB).
Some of our neurologists also visit other hospitals in the trust, including:
- Birmingham Heartlands Hospital (BHH)
- Good Hope Hospital (GHH)
- Solihull Hospital
At these hospitals, they see outpatients and review inpatients with neurological symptoms.
Supporting Other Hospitals
Neurologists from UHB also work with other hospitals in the region, including:
- Dudley Group NHS Foundation Trust (Russells Hall Hospital)
- Sandwell and West Birmingham NHS Trust (Midlands Metropolitan Hospital)
- Shrewsbury and Telford NHS Trust
- Walsall Healthcare NHS Trust (Walsall Manor Hospital)
- The Royal Wolverhampton NHS Trust (New Cross Hospital)
- Wye Valley NHS Trust (Hereford County Hospital)
Support for Worcestershire Hospitals
The Neurology team at UHB also supports hospitals in Worcestershire:
- Worcestershire Royal Hospital
- The Alexandra Hospital, Redditch
- Kidderminster Hospital
However, neurosurgical care for Worcestershire hospitals is provided by University Hospitals Coventry and Warwickshire.
Inpatient Neurology Care
The Acute Neurology Ward is based at Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham (QEHB), where we provide specialist care for people with severe or complex neurological conditions. However, not all inpatients with neurological problems need to be transferred to QEHB. Many patients can be treated in their local hospital with support from visiting neurologists.
Specialist Neurology Services at UHB
UHB provides specialist care for people with complex neurological conditions, including:
- Complex headache disorders
- Multiple sclerosis
- Neuroinflammatory conditions, including:
- Autoimmune encephalitis
- Neuromyelitis optica and related conditions
- Myasthenia gravis and related conditions
- Neurosarcoidosis
- Epilepsy
- Parkinson’s disease and other movement disorders
- Hereditary and inflammatory neuropathies (conditions that damage the peripheral nerves)
- Muscle disease
- Adults with inherited white matter disorders
We also offer limited specialist services for:
- Rare dementias
- Wilson’s disease
- Wolfram Syndrome
- Neurometabolic disorders
- Channelopathies
- Neurogenetic conditions
- Complex neurorehabilitation
These rare disease and rehabilitation services are provided through the Centre for Rare Diseases, ensuring expert care for patients with uncommon and complex neurological conditions.
Conditions Not Managed by Neurology
Some conditions may seem neurological but are managed by other specialties:
- Stroke – managed by a dedicated Stroke Department.
- Neurosurgical issues – including acute spinal cord injuries or disc disease, which are treated by neurosurgeons.
- Brain tumours and other tumours of the head and neck – managed by neuro-oncology, ear, nose and throat (ENT), maxillofacial (Max Facs), or haematology teams, depending on the tumour’s location and type. Neurologists may help with managing symptoms like pain or seizures.
- Most forms of dementia – managed by memory clinics, such as the one at Birmingham and Solihull Mental Health Foundation Trust.
- Neurodevelopmental disorders – including autism and ADHD, which are treated by specialist neurodevelopmental teams.
- Non-headache chronic pain – managed by the pain team.
- Isolated nerve lesions – such as carpal tunnel syndrome or brachial plexus injuries, which are managed by hand surgeons in trauma and orthopaedics or at the Royal Orthopaedic Hospital.
If you are unsure which specialist team you need, your GP or referring doctor can guide you to the right service.
How to Get Referred to the Neurology Department
Referrals to the Neurology Department are made by your GP through the Advice and Guidance system.
Your GP can use this system to seek specialist advice and determine whether a referral to a neurologist is needed. For many conditions, such as headache, your GP may be able to arrange the appropriate investigations and provide treatment without needing to refer you to a neurologist.
To find out more about the Advice and Guidance system and the referral pathways, please follow the links below.
How to Communicate with the Neurology Department
If you are already under the care of the Neurology Department, there are several ways to get in touch:
Clinical Nurse Specialist Team
For certain conditions, you may be able to contact a Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS) for advice. Details on how to get in touch can often be found on the Neurology Referral Information for GPs pages.
Secretarial Support
If you need to contact a neurology secretary, please be aware that there is often shared cover, and the secretary may need to take a message.
- When calling the secretary, please provide the following details:
- The name of the neurologist you see
- The medications you take, including dose and frequency
- The nature of your enquiry
Your query may already be answered in the FAQ section below, so please check this first
Advice and refer
University Hospitals Birmingham is using advice and refer as the only process for referrals from GPs for neurology, using the advice and guidance functionality on the NHS e-Referral Service (e-RS). This will not change for cancer and two week wait (2WW) referrals.
For further information for patients, please see our advice and refer page.
Neurology referral information for GPs
For information on what a GP needs to include and think about when referring to Neurology at UHB, please see the GP referrals section.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Appointments
I should have had an appointment by now
If you are waiting a long time for a scan, please contact the radiology department to make sure the scan has been booked.
If you think that your clinic appointment is overdue please contact your consultant’s secretary. Often something has gone wrong and your appointment needs to be re-booked.
You may be on something called patient initiated follow up (PIFU) which means that you need to contact us to activate it – please contact the consultant’s secretary.
I need to change or cancel my appointment – what should I do?
To cancel your appointment, please call the telephone number on your appointment letter or you can request a change by visiting the patient portal directly.
I have missed my appointment – what happens now?
If you fail to keep your appointment without telling us, we will not give you a further appointment without referring you back to your GP. This is to make sure we do not waste valuable appointments.
Copies of Letters or Other Records
Can I get a copy of my clinic letters?
All letters from the neurology department should be addressed or copied to the patient. If you want a copy of you last clinic letter, please contact the consultant’s secretary or you can ask to be signed up to myhealth@UHB.
How do I request my medical records?
You are entitled to a copy of any or all of your written medical records. This can be obtained by contacting the subject access team. Note copies of scan images can be obtained, but you have to pay a fee to have them transferred to CD.
Driving
Can I still drive if I have a neurological condition?
Some neurological conditions require you to inform the DVLA (Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency). You can visit the DVLA website for guidance.
How long will I be unable to drive after a seizure?
For a single seizure in someone who doesn’t have a diagnosis of epilepsy it is 6 months. If you have diagnosis of epilepsy and have a seizure then you can’t drive for 12 months. There are some exceptions to this, for example if you are planning to drive a lorry or bus then the driving suspensions are longer. Please see the DVLA website for guidance.
Flying
Can I fly if I have a neurological condition?
Many people with neurological conditions can fly, but some conditions (e.g., epilepsy, neuromuscular disorders, or recent stroke) may require extra precautions. Check with the airline before flying. If necessary UHB can provide a letter of support, but please make sure you ask for this well in advance of your planned trip.
Medication
I have run out of my medication – what should I do?
Your GP should be your first point of contact for repeat prescriptions.
There may be some medications that your GP cannot provide in which case the neurology department can issue prescriptions, but there is no automatic process for doing this. You need to contact the neurology team at least 3 weeks before your prescription is due to run out.
I’m experiencing side effects from my medication – what should I do?
If you have mild side effects, speak to your GP or pharmacist. If the side effects are severe, contact your neurology team for further advice. If you have just been started on lamotrigine or carbamazepine and have a rash contact the epilepsy CNS team urgently:
Pregnancy and Family Planning
I have a neurological condition – should I let my neurologist know if I am planning a pregnancy?
Yes, it is important to discuss this with your neurologist, as some medications may need to be adjusted before conception.
Can I continue my neurological medication during pregnancy?
Some medications are safe during pregnancy, while others need to be changed. Speak to your neurologist or GP as early as possible. If you have epilepsy do not stop your anti-seizure medication without speaking to your GP or the neurology team.
Scan or Other Test Results
How long will it take to get my test results?
This varies depending on the type of test. Your neurology team will contact you if urgent action is needed.
Blood tests may not be routinely fedback.
Normal or unchanged scan results take longer to be processed than abnormal ones,. It can sometimes take some months before the results get back to you.
You should get the results eventually – if you have heard nothing 3 months after the date of the scan, please contact the neurology secretaries.
Can I get a copy of my scan report?
Yes, you can request a copy via the subject access team.
Letters of Support
Can my neurologist provide a letter for benefits, work, or housing?
In some cases, your neurologist may be able to provide medical evidence, but they are not usually able to complete detailed benefit forms. You may need to request reports through your GP or occupational health services.
How do I request a letter of support?
Please make your request in writing, clearly stating what you need and why. Allow time for this to be processed.
Last reviewed: 06 March 2025